The True Portrait by Gordon H. Clark

“The True Portrait” is an article from Dr. Gordon H. Clark’s papers. Both the original scan and a transcribed document are here made available. If you notice any typos on the typed document please email the administrator at douglasdouma@yahoo.com.

**Items from the unpublished papers of Dr. Gordon H. Clark should not be considered his definitive statement on the particular topic addressed. These papers are being provided for educational value. For Dr. Clark’s official positions consult his published writings.**

Dr. Tenney, who happens to be a very interesting preacher, once used this illustration: A father noticed that his young son was doing something on a piece of paper. “What are you doing, sonny?” he asked. “Drawing,” replied the boy laconically as he continued to scribble. “Well, what are you drawing?” continued the father. “God,” answered the boy. “But,” objected the father, “no one knows what God looks like.” “They will when I finish.”

The primitive and the sophisticated religions of the world are drawing pictures of God. The pictures drawn in the interior of China are not the same as those drawn in New York or Chicago, for, of course, tastes in art vary. But the real trouble is not taste in art. The real trouble is that these religions do not know what God is like, and hence they cannot produce a true portrait. These religions have never seen God. God has never revealed Himself to them. A sensible man will therefore look on their imaginations as one would look on the scribbling of a young boy. And a sensible man, if he is really sensible, will seek for a true revelation from God. And he may find such a true revelation in the Holy Bible. This is God’s authoritative message to men.

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him” (John 1:18). “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6).

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